Showing People of Color How to Make Responsible Decisions

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If you desire to have good time management then you need to have a strategy or an action plan. Following these strategies will help you get the most out of your days.

First thing to do is Prioritize your work.

Start each day by ranking the things that you much do. Starting with the most important and unpleasant tasks first, then go from there. Those things that can wait for later that day should be listed towards the bottom of your list. Don’t make your list too long because there are only so many hours in a day and you don’t want to feel like you will never get it all accomplished.

Second thing is to Assign Work Time Frame for each task.

At first this might not seem realistic but it is mostly so that you will have some sort of idea how long it will take to finish each task. You will find that once you start a task, it won’t really take very long unless it is a big project. If so, then break it down so that you can see some progress.

Third Be Flexible.

Unexpected things come up from time to time so if you have to stop to take care of some other matter, do not worry and stress out if you don’t accomplished a certain task in the time frame you set. Just like the saying goes, “Rome wasn’t built in a day” so make sure you allow for those time when things come up. Don’t let these things such as phone calls, important emails,kids and life in general frustrate you, the important thing to remember is that you are making progress on your list.

Fourth thing is to Say No if it isn’t important.

Whether you work from home or out of the home there are things that can distract us and waste time. Limit small talk with co-workers, family, friends, etc. while you are working. Respect your decision to make a plan and stick to it. Others will need to understand that if it isn’t something that needs to be taken care of right this minute then it can wait.

Fifth is to Delegate.

Remember that you probably can’t do everything yourself so if there is a task that you might not be very good at or like doing and there is someone that can do the task then by all means pass it on. In this way the task will get done and you won’t waste time putting it off because you can’t accomplish it yourself.

Compromise when necessary.

As your day progresses the urgency of a task may also change. There may be times when your tasks will need to be re-prioritized, rescheduled, postponed or dropped altogether, making adjustments if things come up that needs your attention is important.

Everyone has limitations and if you realize what those are then you will know what you can work on later to improve those skills or know in advance what tasks you will need help with.

Learning to manage your time is not to stress your day so remember to relax and learn as you go. The more you practice managing your time, the better you will get at it. Time management is so that you will take control of your days and see how much you really can accomplish each day and then enjoy some time with family and friends. This is your only viable option no matter where you are working, this is the only way to accomplish anything worthwhile.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”–which is the first commandment with a promise– “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.-Ephesians 6:1-4

Supt. Charles A. Stevenson, Sr., obeyed this scripture, which made it easy for his children to obey it. He could easily win a “Father of the Year” award! He has been able to prioritize where other pastors have failed. He taught us that God is first, and family is second. The church should complete the trinity of our lives. Actually, he taught us so many lessons about life that his sayings have been shared with countless friends and colleagues.

His touch has been so effective and far-reaching that he has been given the name that God chooses for those He uses to do His will – Servant. Preaching the gospel with such power and conviction, he has been called the “preacher’s preacher” and earned the nickname, “Son of Thunder.” Supt. Stevenson is the Founder of the former Choudrant Church of God in Christ, now Progressive Church of God in Christ.

Furthermore, he is the Founder and Senior Pastor of the Bethel COGIC located in Monroe. He also serves as the Pastor of the Epps COGIC in Epps, Louisiana. Not only does Supt. Stevenson serve in the local churches, he has also served in many capacities at the church’s state level. He is currently the District Superintendent of the Progressive Community District, First Jurisdiction of Louisiana. He is also the Chairman of the Board of Superintendents.

Supt. Stevenson is a firm believer in lifelong learning. He graduated from C. H. Mason Bible College and served as the Dean of the Monroe Chapter for nearly 35 years. In addition, he has a Certificate of Continuing Education in Theology from Interdenominational Theological Seminary in Atlanta. He is also supporter of the Interfaith Ministry, which led to him being the first African American pastor to preach in a Jewish synagogue in Monroe.

He is also known as an excellent husband, father, and grandfather. Since he taught his children I Corinthians 11:1, all of them work in the ministry. One son is a pastor, and the other son is an ordained elder. One daughter is a missionary, and another is a psalmist. His youngest daughter, yours truly, is a prophetess. As proud as he is of his children, we are equally proud of this Man of Honor!

If you work in the ministry, chances are you will need to be ministered to at some point. Brian Fulthorpe wrote, “A Duke University study found that eighty-five percent of seminary graduates entering the ministry leave within five years and 90% of all pastors will not stay to retirement (Kanipe, 2007, n.p.). This study also found that the North Georgia clergy attrition rate ran as high as 90% for those having served 20 years or more.”

I am extremely proud and thankful for a pastor, Supt. Charles Allen Stevenson, Sr., who has endured for 50 years in the ministry. We celebrated this momentous occasion last weekend. I doubt that I could really indicate how special of a moment it was for me. See, my pastor is my father. My siblings and I have been on this journey with him for our entire lives. Many preacher’s children have a hard time, but my father has made it easier for us.

We are grateful for a God-fearing father, who practices what he preaches. Before he became a pastor, Charles A. Stevenson, Sr.’s early years were full of experiences that developed his leadership skills. In junior high, he participated in oratorical competitions. In high school, he was a 3-sport star, sang in the choir, and played in the band. After graduating from high school, he attended Grambling State University.

God blessed him to graduate in the upper 10% of his class. After graduating from GSU, he started an excellent career with the government. He became the first African American supervisor at our local Social Security Administration and paved the way for others. When God told him to become a full-time pastor, he obeyed. He says that he has never regretted it because God has always made a way for him.

Proclaiming the gospel for 50 years, many souls have been saved and baptized with the Holy Ghost under his ministry. The favor of God has afforded Supt. Stevenson to minister in very unique local, state, and national (including Alaska) settings. Watch the video below as he preaches God’s Word. It is my pleasure to recognize Supt. Charles A. Stevenson, Sr., as the Man of Honor for January 2014! Next week, you will learn more about this man of God.